Her Excellency the Governor Helen Kilpatrick and Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin held a disaster management meeting with key personnel today (Wednesday, 6 September) regarding the unfolding destruction caused by Hurricane Irma in the region.
Senior officials and members of Hazard Management Cayman Islands and the National Weather Service discussed how to deliver a coordinated aid response to territories affected by the Category 5 storm.
The Governor’s Office is in direct contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices crisis response unit in London. This is to ensure a calibrated relief effort from the Cayman Islands through that agency.
As Irma passes across the Caribbean, affected territories are currently making damage assessments, while others are bracing themselves for the storm. The estimated damage is likely to run into the millions of dollars. In view of this, the public is asked not to collect aid supplies in a bid to avoid duplication of effort. Further details as to what aid is needed, and how to donate, will be issued in due course.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay is currently in the region to assist in relief efforts. The vessel visited the Cayman Islands in July this year, undertaking joint disaster preparedness exercises with government agencies.
The Cayman Islands is not expected to be severely impacted by Hurricane Irma, according to the National Weather Services. However, residents are urged to monitor the situation and have a hurricane plan in place. Visit www.caymanprepared.gov.ky for details.